This page: Old photograph of an Irish-registered Ford Anglia 8hp in the early post-war years.

1. Ford E04A Anglia Mk2.

As with several photos of old Fords I've got, identifying the maker hasn't been an issue, however pinpointing the exact model can take some digging. The Ford 8 in this shot sports an Irish registration, with a lady perched on its front bumper. The car is a post-war Ford Anglia E04A Mark 2, fitted with the 8hp 933cc sidevalve engine.

(Please click the thumbnail to view full-size image.)

Standard & Deluxe E04A Anglias, Mk1 and Mk2.

The Standard and De Luxe E04A Anglia Mk1s were introduced in 1939, replacing the 7Y Eight. In 1941 production halted for the war. In 1945 production of the Mk1 E04A Anglia (in Standard-spec only) resumed, with the final E04A rolling off the lines in 1948 when it was replaced by the E494A Anglia. Only two-door saloons would be offered in Britain, along with the 5cwt Fordson E04C van.

Cars were built in two specifications prior to the war - Standard, and De Luxe. The car above has a fixed screen in a rubber surround, and painted hub caps, identifying it as a Standard-spec Ford Anglia saloon. The De Luxe versions had running boards and semaphore indicators as standard fitment, an opening screen with chrome surround, a bakelite dashboard and other detail improvements. Curiously this particular E04A does feature running boards, but they were a bolt-on fitting so could have either been specified when new, or else fitted later. Otherwise it is a typical Standard model.

The Dublin-city "ZH" registration series ran for nearly two years, January 1947 to December 1948. As only Standard versions were built after the war, the identification of this car is confirmed.

As well as being produced in two different trim levels - Standard and De Luxe - the E04A Anglia was also produced in "Mk1" and "Mk2" form. Most were Mk1s, a retrospective title, but in December 1947 Ford introduced a number of modifications and the Anglia was then offered in Mk2 form. Changes weren't exactly earthshattering, although key identifier of a Mk2 was the grille. Mk1s had a slim grille surround, whereas Mk2s has a thicker top grille bar, in which the Anglia name was incorporated. Previously these 8hp Fords had an Anglia script badge on the grille itself. The car above is therefore a late Mk2 example of the breed.

Buyers of Ford Anglias in Australia could choose either a roadster or tourer version of the Anglia, an option not offered to UK customers.

2. A Mk1 Anglia E04A.

Leo in The Netherlands kindly sent this next Anglia E04A photograph over, this car being a Mk1 which features the slightly different grille design to the Mk2 shown above. The photo shows Leo and his parents in 1949, the location being to the south of Limburg, near Maastricht. Of the Ford, Leo remembers the following. Despite the car having a fixed screen of a Standard model, he mentions that it had the bakelite dashboard.

The car was originally black and repainted in green. I remember the dashboard was bakelite. Upholstery was of a green leather-like skin. I never forget the smell of that. The front window couldn't be opened. The Ford and chromium Anglia badge I took off when the car was sold in 51 and are still in my possession. The numberplate L is of the old Dutch type and remains with the owner. L was the province of Utrecht. Since 1955 we have a number system that remains on the car and represents the year of delivery. The car could have been produced in 1946. I remember that under the bonnet a military text and number was painted in white.

(Please click the thumbnail to view full-size Ford images.)

Thanks for sending it over!

3. A Mk2 E04A Ford.

While this next snapshot contains a veritable feast of four-wheeled favourites, heading the collection is a Mk2 E04A Anglia, registration FTR 356 - a Southampton issued number, from a series that came in during May of 1948. The lack of chrome windscreen surround points to it being a standard model, although it does benefit from the fitment of two (mis-matched) spot/fog lamps. Alongside it is a much later machine, although still powered by a sidevalve four-cylinder engine (albeit in modified 1172cc guise), in the shape of a Ford 100E Anglia, with its distinctive three-bar grille. A Mk1 Zephyr Zodiac can also be seen a little further away.

Elsewhere, parked in the same field, are examples of Armstrong Siddeley Whitley, pre-war Morris 10/4 or 12/4, 1950's Minor, E-Series Vauxhall, Austin A35, and a Bedford CA. The two ladies in shot seem to be enjoying their picnic, note the two hampers - one wicker, the other a Brexton type.